Effect of magnetic field on cutting performance of micro-textured tools under Fe3O4 nanofluid lubrication condition

Abstract Laser texturing of cutting tool is a promising surface modification method for improving the machinability and form accuracy of the machined workpieces in the precision machining of difficult-to-machine material. However, the blocking of micro-textures by the cutting chips, i.e., derivative cutting, usually occurs because of the severe friction between the tool and chip, which can hinder the effectiveness of micro-textures prepared on the rake face of the cutting tool. To address this issue, an external magnetic field was superimposed on the micro-textured tools in order to promote the infiltration of magnetic nanofluid into the micro-textured tool-chip interface, and the possible mechanisms for the effect of magnetic field on the inhibition of derivative cutting caused by the micro-textures was for the first time revealed in this research. Herein, the cutting of 316 L stainless steel with the micro-textured tools was performed under the magnetic field, and the effect of different parameters of magnetic fields on the machining characteristic of micro-textured tools (TT) under Fe3O4 nanofluid (MNF) lubrication condition was investigated. The results reveal that the MNF could be effectively migrated into the micro-textured tool-chip interface in presence of the external magnetic field, and consequently the degree of derivative cutting caused by the micro-textured tools was effectively suppressed. Thus, the machining characteristic of TT tools was gradually improved with increasing the magnetic field strength from 300 to 1200 Gs. Besides, infiltration mechanism of MNF at the micro-textured tool-chip interface under different parameters of magnetic fields were discussed.